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The philosopher may well be ashamed that, in the present age, and in this part of the world, such a series of experiments should ever have been required. It shows a wide-spread disease of the public mind. Well may Mr. Faraday exclaim, that the system of education that could leave the mental condition of the public body in the state in which this subject has found it, must have been greatly deficient in some very important principle.' We must all bestir ourselves in the cause of national education, if we ever wish to see the follies of Mesmerism, Homoeopathy, Table-turning, or Spirit-rappings, received by the people with anything like cautious reflection or sound judgment."

saw the index it remained very steady; when it was hidden from them, or they looked away from it, it wavered about, though they believed that they always pressed directly downwards; and, when the table did not move, there was still a resultant of hand force in the direction in which it was wished the table should move, which, however, was exercised quite unwittingly by the party operating. This re sultant it is which, in the course of the waiting time, while the fingers and hands become stiff, numb, and insensible, by continued pressure, grows up to an amount sufficient to move the table or the substances pressed upon. But the most valuable effect of this test-apparatus (which was afterwards made more perfect, and independent of the table), is the corrective power it possesses Death from Chloroform.-M. De Vallet, over the mind of the table-turner. As soon Surgeon-in-Chief of the Hôtel-Dieu, d'Oras the index is placed before the most earn-leans, communicated to the Society of Surest, and as soon as they perceive-as in my gery the following case:presence they have always done-that it tells truly whether they are pressing down. wards only or obliquely, then all effects of table-turning cease, even though the parties persevere, earnestly desiring motion, till they become weary and worn out. No prompting or checking of the hands is needed the power is gone; and this only because the parties are made conscious of what they are really doing mechanically, and so are unable unwittingly to deceive themselves. I know that some may say, that it is the cardboard next the fingers which moves first, and that it both drags the table and also the table-turner with it. All I have to reply is, that the cardboard may, in practice, be reduced to a thin sheet of paper weighing only a few grains, or to a piece of goldbeaters'-skin, or even the end of the lever, and (in principle) to the very cuticle of the fingers itself. Then the results that follow are too absurd to be admitted; the table becomes an incumbrance, and a person holding out the fingers in the air, either naked or tipped with goldbeaters'skin or cardboard, ought to be drawn about the room, &c.; but I refrain from considering imaginary, yet consequent results, which have nothing philosophical or real in them."

The editor of the Med. Times and Gaz., in publishing Professor Faraday's experiments, remarks they "will serve to put a final close to one of the most singular chap. ters in the history of popular delusions.

A soldier of the line, aged 25, apparently in good health, and of strong frame, consulted M. Vallet for a small tumour (en. cysted?, situated behind the right labial commissure. Before operating, M. Vallet proceeded to direct the inhalation of chloroform. The patient, fasting, being placed in the horizontal posture, the chloroform (about one gramme, or gr. xx.) was poured upon a hollow sponge and applied to the nose, the mouth being left free. At the expiration of a minute, no effect having been produced, four grammes (rather more than a drachm and a quarter) were poured on the sponge, and, at the expiration of four minutes, the patient, without having experienced any irritation of the larynx, without having manifested any resistance, without redness of the countenance, and after only a slight period of agitation, fell into a state of insensibility fit for the operation. Scarcely had the incision been made, necessary to expose the cyst, when the patient became pale, respiration was suspended, and he sank into a state of extreme collapse. All the usual remedies were tried, and without avail. M. Vallet opened the trachea, and performed artificial respiration with an elastic tube; then an electric current was sent by needles through the region of the heart. The patient died without any sign of reaction.

Examination of the Body.-The vessels of the brain were empty; the lungs were congested with blood, which, in some situa

tions, was extravasated; the heart was ex-been administered, and who strenuously decessively flaccid; there were some soft clots clare, they will never undergo such punishin the right cavities; the left were empty.ment again; they would much rather suffer The stomach was full of gas; the liver, the most severe operation than the sensation spleen, and kidneys were gorged with black of smothering they experienced while the blood. The blood from the subclavian chloroform was being administered to them. veins was analyzed by an experienced che--Med. Times and Gaz. mist, but no trace of chloroform was detected.

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Jenner Monument.-We find in the Eng

Death, according to the author, seems tolish Journals the following summary of the ensue under two conditions:

1. It is preceded by symptoms resembling those of asphyxia, when first respiration, and then circulation cease.

2. Life seems extinguished yet more quickly in profound syncope.-Med. Times and Gaz. July 9, 1853.

amounts collected for the proposed monu-
ment to Jenner :-

Collected, U. S. of America, £339 12s. 8d.
London and Norway, 83 10 4
Russia,

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100 0 0

29 1 1

G. Britain and Ire.

153 2

Death from Chloroform in Paris. Trial of the Surgeon and his Assistant.-M. Tri- Serious and Singular Accident to Profes quet and M. Masson gave chloroform, onsor Lagenbeck.-This professor was sud the 15th of February, 1853, to a young man denly summoned to a lady dangerously ill of twenty-four, previous to the removal of with dropsy. Without waiting for assista tumour situated on the cheek; the patientance, he proceeded to puncturation so suc. died of the effects of the anaesthetic agent.cessfully that he saved his patient from The practitioners were tried for the so-death. Some of the acrid discharge fell called offence, and, in spite of the testi-upon his hand, which he washed off without mony of the leading physicians and surgeons taking any farther notice of it; but soon of Paris, were found guilty of homicide by afterwards his hand, arm, and the neighimprudence. The reasons alleged by the bouring regions throbbed and swelled to a judge were, that the operation was per-great size, accompanied by febrile and informed in a room not sufficiently ventilated,flammatory symptoms, which left no doubt that the prisoners used chloroform without necessity, and that they had not taken any precaution in case an accident should happen. The fine was £2. Messrs. Triquet and Masson have, with the assistance of the Medical Society, appealed to a higher court. -Lancet, June 4, 1853.

Adulteration of Chloroform.--Dr. A. TODD states: I cannot help thinking, that some of the cases of death from chloroform have been more the effect of an indiscreet mode of administering the anesthetic agent than from the real effects of chloroform upon the system, for I have frequently seen it administered in the most careless manner. have seen a patient held down, and an inhaler put close to his mouth, with the sponge filled with chloroform, and held there, notwithstanding the most violent struggles, until at last he is choked into a state of anæsthesia, the pain of this process being much more severe than the operation itself. And I have met with people to whom it has

of the presence of very active animal poison. Fortunately, immediate remedies were applied, and by defeating the agency of the poison, thus happily saved a very valuable life. As a proof of the hold it got upon the system, Professor Lagenbeck's body was covered with eruptions.-Lancet, June 4, 1853, from Berlin Paper.

Health in Persia.-The last accounts bring fearful intelligence of the ravages of pestilence and fever in Astraband, Mazraderam, and the Turcoma Desert. In one province, the deaths from cholera number 150 daily. The shah and court have fled to IImama. The towns of Shiraz and Surhan have been all but levelled to the ground by earthquakes, which destroyed 15,000 souls; and to add to the calamity, the Zaïndowed has been dried up, and from its muddy bed a frightful number of locusts arose, scattering in swarms in all directions, to the great dismay of the inhabitants.-Lancet, July 9, 1853.

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send numerous queries to each member, and
up to this date have only received answers
from two physicians. Whereupon it was
agreed that each member should report in
ten days' time. Dr. H. Corson spoke of
the propriety of having numerous other
queries directed to the members, in refer-

&c., hoping that such questions would prove
more interesting, and consequently be more
readily answered.

Drs. E. K. Beaver, H. Corson, and J.

Schrack were appointed a committee to

audit the Treasurer's account.

Adjourned till 13 o'clock P. M.

The Society met again at the time speci

fied. Dr. G. W. Wimley was called upon
to deliver a lecture, when, upon motion, he
was excused on account of soreness of throat.
Dr. E. K. Beaver read a report from the

American Journal of Medical Science, on

Vaccination in Measles.

Dr. H. Geiger reported several cases of

barrenness in women, maintaining a view

Dr. Wimley reported the case of a female, who has been confined to bed for the last seven months. She complains of a very strange and peculiar sensation in the hypogastric region, chills at alternate days, sleeps and fasts by day, and vice versa. Pulse normal. Various views were entertained as to the nature of the case, when it was generally concluded by the members that an examination per vagina was rendered necessary, and then that she should be treated accordingly.

that dysmenorrhoea was a frequent cause.lar tissue before he struck upon the rectum; In proof of this fact, several cases came a charpie of lint was introduced, a dose of oil under his professional charge, who laboured given, and all was well. under this inability. In cases where diag nosis led him to suppose that the aforesaid disease depended on a rheumatic diathesis, the vol. tinct. of guaiac (Dewees) would cure his cases; whilst others, which seemed to depend upon a constriction of the cervix uteri, yielded very happily to the treatment instituted by McIntosh, which consists in dilating the parts with bougies, graduating the size until the cervix becomes flabby. In confirmation of the fact first stated, the doctor concluded by saying that, although some women were married from 10 to 12 years without offspring, after they were treated on rational principles, they were very soon among the enceinte class. Numerous cases were then adduced by the Dr. H. Corson, on Medical Jurisprudence, members, in which the first-named treat-reported three cases of death from poisoning ment was instituted with the same happy results.

Dr. Wm. Corson placed the question before the Society: Are any women known to menstruate during pregnancy? A response of the members proved it to be quite

common.

Dr. H. Corson mentioned a singular case of a certain woman in his practice, who always knew the exact time when she became pregnant, and, what was stranger still, could tell the precise day of her confinement. The nurse and doctor were engaged, and a failure at the appointed time was not known. The sensations and feelings were of a strange character, not well understood by the doctor. The attention of the Society was next drawn to some anomalous symptoms of pregnancy, by Drs. Poley, Geiger, and W. Corson, morning sickness in husband and wife, &c Whilst Dr. Poley knew a case where the husband alone was afflicted with a regular vomit every morning, for the usual length of time.

A case of mutilation and fracture of the tendo-achillis and os calcis was next reported by Dr. W. Corson, which terminated fa vourably under the cold-water treatment.

Dr. Wm. Corson reported very favourably of cod liver oil and iodide of iron in tuberculosis. The experience of nearly all present coincided with the views of Dr. C.

by mushroom. Also, three cases of fractured skulls of new-born infants, without any known cause.

On motion of Dr. Schrack, a plate for the purpose of furnishing certificates of membership to each member in good standing was to be procured.

On motion of Dr. Hiram Corson, abstracts of the proceedings of this meeting shall be forwarded to the editors of the different papers in the county; also, to the News and Library, Philadelphia.

The list of members was then taken into consideration, which, after an animated dis cussion, was laid over for especial attention at the next meeting.

Dr. E. K. Beaver was appointed to deliver a lecture at the next quarterly meeting. On motion, it was agreed to adjourn, and meet at Pottstown in July next.

E. K. BEAVER, Secretary.

CLINICS.

Clinical Lecture on Colic, delivered at King's College Hospital. By ROBERT B. TODD, M. D., F. R. S.-GENTLEMEN: The

Dr. Piper reported a case of scirrhus of the breast, together with considerable en-four cases of colic now in the house will largement of some of the axillary glands. afford us abundant material for a lecture The doctor performed an operation with very to-day. All of these cases are good examfavourable results. Dr. P. also reported a ples of the malady, and illustrate how it case of a child being born without an anal occurs in connection with particular states opening. An operation was performed, cut-of constitution, or particular diatheses. ting three inches through the perineal cellu

Now, first, let us inquire, what is colic?

It may be defined as a very painful affec. which will continue until the writhing action tion, which comes on more or less rapidly of the colon becomes sufficient to overcome or suddenly, and is caused by an abnormal the obstruction, or until the muscular action action of the colon. The pain is not con- becomes so violent as to cause rupture of the stant, but comes on in violent paroxysms, bowel itself. The general event is, that the giving the patient the sensation of a twisting impediment to the onward passage of the or writhing action going on in the upper contents of the intestine at length gives way; part of the belly, generally about and around but cases have occurred where the violence the navel. A good example of this griping of the action has been so great, and the obor colicky pain, in a minor degree, is found struction so firm, that rupture of the colon in that which few have not experienced in has actually occurred, leading to extravatheir own persons, and which is produced sation of its contents into the peritoneal by the influence of certain purgatives. Thus cavity, which soon causes death. Some senna will occasion severe griping in many years ago, we had a man in the hospital persons; a large dose of calomel, or colo- labouring under symptoms of colic and obcynth, or aloes, or croton-oil, will also cause struction of the bowel, and for some time we the same. While the pain is severe, a dis- failed in our attempts to relieve the patient; tinct rumbling is heard and felt by the pabut at length, by dint of the administration tient, denoting that the bowel is in active of enemata, the obstruction gave way, an movement, struggling to get rid of its con-evacuation quickly followed, and, upon extents. Under these circumstances, flatus is generated in large quantities, distending the intestine in whole or part. When it is expelled, and feces with it, relief is at once experienced; but the pain may return sooner or later with the generation of more flatus, or the accumulation of feculent matter in the bowel.

amination, we were surprised to find that the stool consisted entirely of dried peas, which the poor fellow had been compelled to eat for want of better food.

Should the obstruction be overcome, of course all undue action of the bowel ceases, and the patient soon gets quite well; but, if the obstruction persists, then a very serious train of symptoms ensues; the patient begins to vomit and to hiccough, and at length the bowel will empty itself through the stomach, and fecal vomiting will occur. The contents of the bowel are forced down to the obstructing point, and, being prevented from

The operation of a purgative of this kind illustrates the suddenness and the rapidity of the invasion of the attack of colic. The rapid distension of the bowel provokes it to forcible and spasmodic contraction, which is antagonized by the contraction of an empty portion of bowel, but more espe-passing farther, a reflux takes place in the cially, and with generally great power, by the sphincter ani. Who has not felt the agony of that mortal combat between the expulsive power of the bowel and the retentive force of the sphincter, on the issue of which hangs the safety of one's habili-mouth. This process is generally, but, as ment, and one's credit for propriety.

central part of the moving mass; and this may occur to such an extent, that a large quantity of the contents may be regurgitated through the intestine, and may ultimately reach the stomach, and be rejected by the

Dr. Brinton has ably pointed out, incorrectly Now, very much the same powerful and termed antiperistaltis; a supposed condi painful action occurs in the bowel affected tion, which certainly cannot be shown really with colic. An obstacle arises to the on-10 exist. What I have just described takes ward passage of the intestinal contents. place in every case of fecal vomiting; and This is occasioned by an accumulation of it is thus that this symptom occurring in matter within the bowel, or by a contracted or paralytic condition of some part of it, which, therefore, not only is unable to play its part in the general movement, but, by its failure, even creates an obstacle to the ac tion of the bowel above, and thus excites in it forcible contractions, to overcome the obstacle. Colic, then, is a state of aggravated peristaltic action. The violent contractions of the intestine produce great pain,

connection with strangulated hernia is explained. In some instances, owing to undue dilatation of the bowel above the point of obstruction, or perhaps sometimes to an inflammatory state of the muscular coat, there is not sufficient power to cause the reflux; and thus I have seen cases of complete obstruction lasting fourteen or fifteen days, with an enormously distended abdomen, and yet without fecal, or, indeed, any vomiting.

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